Bank accounts aren’t usually described as “scary,” but tell a parent that their kid has a debit card granting them unfettered access to the family funds and watch their face fill with terror.
Fortunately, many debit cards exist with features that strike a balance between financial freedom and parental oversight. That way, you can feel confident that your child is developing good spending habits while you maintain some control over their spending.
To determine the best debit cards for kids, we evaluated parental controls, security features, educational tools and age appropriateness. (See our methodology for more information on how we chose the best debit cards for kids.)
Best for financial education
Greenlight Debit Card
Cost
$5.99 per month for Core Plan, $9.98 per month for Max Plan, or $14.98 per month for Infinity Plan
Rewards
1% cash back
Minimum deposit/balance
None
Overdraft fee
None
ATM access
Any ATM with a Mastercard, Visa Interlink or Maestro name or logo
Parental controls
Parents can block spending categories and more
Terms apply.